Boxing legend Mike Tyson is facing a $1.6 million lawsuit after allegedly breaching a sponsorship contract to fight YouTuber Jake Paul. The lawsuit was filed by Medier, a Cyprus-based company, which claims that Tyson and his company, Tyrannic, violated their agreement by stepping into the ring with Paul on the same day that the sponsorship deal was supposed to be honored. The lawsuit was filed in October in the High Court of London.

According to Medier’s legal team, the real reason Tyson and Tyrannic prematurely and illegally terminated the contract was that Tyson struck a separate deal, reportedly sponsored by Netflix, to fight social media star Jake Paul. This deal, they argue, directly violated the terms of the agreement with Medier.

In response to the lawsuit, Tyson’s team argued that there were legitimate grounds for terminating the contract, citing the need to protect the boxing legend’s reputation. Tyson’s lawyers claimed that Medier had repeatedly violated the terms of their agreement “in many ways,” justifying the termination.

This legal dispute is just one of many controversies surrounding Tyson’s fight against Paul. Ronald ‘Blue’ Denton, a user reportedly involved in the event, also filed a lawsuit against Netflix, accusing the streaming giant of breaching its contract due to persistent technical issues and connection failures during the broadcast.

The Tyson-Paul fight, which was billed as a historic clash between a former heavyweight champion and a social media mogul, has also come under scrutiny regarding its integrity. Despite being one of the most renowned heavyweights in boxing history, Tyson landed only 18 punches over the course of eight rounds against Paul. This has led many to question the legitimacy of the fight, with social media users highlighting moments where Tyson appeared to pull punches, even though Paul left parts of his face exposed.

Amidst the intense debates, MVP, the boxing promotion company co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, has strongly denied accusations of rigging the fight. MVP issued a statement calling the allegations “absurd and ridiculous,” rejecting the idea that the event was anything other than a legitimate contest.

On November 15, Jake Paul emerged victorious by decision in what many are calling the most controversial boxing match in recent history. The fight, held at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, USA, saw Paul throw 278 punches, with 78 landing — a 28% accuracy rate. Tyson, on the other hand, landed just 18 punches, with a much lower 19% accuracy rate. After eight rounds of action, the judges scored the bout 80-72, 79-73, 79-73 in favor of Paul.

Despite the controversy, Tyson reportedly earned at least $20 million for his participation in the fight — half of what Jake Paul reportedly made from the event. Paul, though less experienced in boxing, has leveraged his massive social media following, boasting 27 million Instagram followers, which has made him a major draw for both fans and sponsors. His net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth, is estimated at $80 million, far surpassing Tyson’s $10 million.

Tyson, however, is considered one of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history, with a career that includes numerous world championships and knockout victories. His involvement in the fight with Paul, which many view as an exhibition rather than a legitimate contest, has generated significant debate about his legacy and the direction of his post-boxing career.

The lawsuit and controversy surrounding Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul raise larger questions about the future of boxing and the role social media stars are playing in shaping the sport. Tyson, who dominated the heavyweight division in the 1980s and 1990s, has become a larger-than-life figure both inside and outside the ring. His participation in high-profile events, even in retirement, continues to draw massive attention — but the business of boxing has evolved, with YouTubers and social media influencers now commanding the spotlight.

As Tyson faces this lawsuit and the backlash over his fight with Paul, the future of his boxing career and legacy hangs in the balance. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as this legal drama unfolds, and whether Tyson’s reputation can withstand the growing influence of digital media stars and the changing landscape of combat sports.

Mike Tyson’s lawsuit and the controversy surrounding his fight with Jake Paul are just the latest chapters in the ongoing evolution of the sport of boxing. The combination of Tyson’s legendary status and Paul’s internet fame has created an explosive mix of entertainment and legal drama, capturing the attention of fans and media alike. As Tyson faces this legal battle over contract disputes and his tarnished reputation, it remains to be seen whether the “Iron Man” will be able to recover from these setbacks, or whether this chapter in his storied career will mark the beginning of a new era in combat sports dominated by social media influencers.